Tuesday, January 24, 2012

33 Weeks Today!

I met with (a new) Dr C and her midwife assistant L yesterday morning. After everything that happened recently I wasn't sure what to expect but I was prepared with all my questions and ready to hear what they had to say.

I met with L first. She was exactly how I expected her to be, crunchy. She was very friendly and shared stories of successful twin vaginal deliveries with me. She has worked as a midwife for 20 years and spent a lot of time practicing overseas.

Dr C came in a few minutes later. I was shocked when I first saw her, she looked so young. I'm guessing she's actually around my age. She worked with another practice and just recently branched off to her own practice. I'm pretty sure they have less than 10 people working there.
Anyway... she was amazing. We talked about baby positions and what she would do for each scenario. She also shared stories of successful vaginal deliveries with me. She wasn't concerned about Macy-Dean being a few ounces bigger and even said the rule is... they have to be smaller than my largest baby. That leaves us a lot of room for growth!

She told me she wouldn't make me have an epidural but she suggested I get one anyway. The meeting lasted about 1 hour and I left there feeling confident and excited.

My first appointment is next Tuesday. The following Tuesday B and C are coming down to meet the new doctor and I'm hoping she will put B's mind at ease regarding a breech delivery.

Oh and induction still stands. February 28th, 5 more weeks!



Thursday, January 19, 2012

32 weeks. Part 2.

I appreciate all the concerns and thoughts. The girls are doing great and the pregnancy is going well.

After our scan yesterday the weights of the babies raised some concerns for me. I was worried about Macy-Dean being so much bigger than Hudson. I was also concerned about what that would mean for attempting a vaginal delivery. I'm aware that most doctors won't attempt a breech delivery and I know that if they normally consider it they sure won't if the breech baby is bigger.
So I went into my visit with Dr C armed with questions. I started off by asking him about the weight difference between the girls. I wanted to make sure it wasn't something that we should be concerned about it. He didn't have a clue what the numbers looked like so I gave him the documents from our last scan in December, and the one done yesterday. He said that it was 24% difference which was more than okay.
I moved on.
I asked him with Macy-Dean being bigger and breech what that meant for a vaginal delivery, what would he do? He started to shake his head before I finished the question and responded by telling me that I needed to find another doctor, that he wasn't the right one for me. I was shocked and asked him why. He started telling me that he wouldn't dare risk giving Macy-Dean Cerebal Palsy and that I may not care because they aren't mine, but he wouldn't do that to their mom. I just sat there listening to him. I told him I knew that no one would delivery a breech baby if it was bigger than the first baby delivered and explained that wasn't what I was asking. I told him that I had hoped he would try a version to turn Macy-Dean after Hudson was born. I gave him the spill about how my uterus could stretch, I delivered a lot of babies, blah blah blah. I felt like I was begging him to agree to try. He kept saying he couldn't offer a guarantee and that he felt like that is what I wanted from him. I told him all I wanted was for him to try and if it didn't work we could go straight to an emergency c-section. He started to come around, said that my experience made him feel better. He even told me stories of successful versions that he had done recently. I asked him if it didn't work and we ended up with a c-section what that would mean. He said if they had time they would do a spinal block, if not... they would put me to sleep. THEN I asked him about the scheduled induction that has been on my chart from the very beginning. February 28th. A Tuesday. I asked him if he did all of his inductions on Tuesday. He said NO, I only do SURGERIES on Tuesday. I looked at him in disbelief. All this time he has us scheduled for  a c-section despite anything we've said. In addition to that, the last time B was here she asked him to push the induction to closer to 39 weeks and after arguing he agreed. He never changed the date. He handed the nurse my chart and left the room without saying another word to me.

I was left with the nurse reassuring me that he would come around. I walked out to the other nurses telling me not to give up, to keep working on him. All I could think was I shouldn't have to "work" on him. In the beginning he agreed to let us try a vaginal delivery as long as Baby A was head down. In one day he went from telling me to get a new doctor, to saying he wouldn't do it, to agreeing to try...
In the end there is no way I can trust him every again. The way he handled the situation was very unprofessional. He was angry. He was rude and he made hurtful comments.

So. I spent last night looking for doctors in the Austin area willing to do a vaginal delivery with twins that are vertex and breech. I found 3. I contacted all of them. So far I've back from two of them.
One was a practice of 7 doctors. Only one had agreed to help but because of different doctors being on call they would all have to agree to it. They actually gave me the contact information for another doctor that said she would love to help. I have an appointment with her on Monday.
Another practice of 7 female doctors agreed to help. I have an appointment with them on Wednesday.

In the end, all I want is a great birthing experience for all of us involved and happy and healthy little girls. I'm sure that isn't impossible and I won't give up trying my hardest to make it happen. <3


32 Weeks

I have a lot to say but I'm still trying to process everything that happened during yesterdays appointment. I'm not quite ready to talk about it. So until I am, here is a small update:

We had a growth scan to check on the girls. They are in similar positions still. Baby A, Hudson is head down and facing sideways toward the front. Baby A, Macy-Dean is footlong breech facing forward. We were able to get some cute shots of her this time.

Hudson is still measuring a tad smaller. She is 4lb 3oz and 32 weeks 1 day (right on track). Macy-Dean is 4lbs 11oz and 33 weeks 2 days.

Here are some pictures; 



Hudson

Macy-Dean

Macy-Dean

Hudson

Macy-Dean

Macy-Dean

Macy-Dean

Macy-Dean

Sunday, January 1, 2012

29 Weeks, 3 Days

I wasn't too thrilled about going to the doctor Friday. I had to postpone my "normal" visit due to being out of town for the Holidays and then I got a call a week or so later saying Dr C would be out on the day I was coming in. I tried to rebook but couldn't because I HAD to get in and get my RhoGAM shot plus they were behind on doing the growth scan and didn't want to reschedule it. So off I went Friday morning bright and early.

I must admit, I like going in early when there is hardly anyone there and things move along quickly. I was taken straight back for the scan. 

The tech started with Baby A. She is head down and resting right on top of my cervix. Just in the right position! I sure hope she stays there!! She is absolutely adorable and made sure to show off for us. The tech was able to get pictures of her swallowing and a pretty decent 3d picture (the placenta is in front of her so it was a bit challenging).
All of her measurements were perfect and right on target.

Baby B is breech. Her head is right under my boobs and her body stretches all the way down to my pelvic bone. She is facing my spine so getting a good face shot of her was impossible. She is very active and was during the scan but she wouldn't turn her face for us. We did get a shot of her neck and you can see her fat rolls!! So cute! 

Her measurements were perfect too and a little ahead of target.

Here's the breakdown:
                                            Baby A: EDD is 03/14 and she weighs 3lbs 

                                            Baby B: EDD is 03/08 and she weighs 3lbs 4oz 
The tech checked my cervix, fluid levels, and the placentas. All three looked great! She also made a DVD and printed lots of pictures for B and C! 


The rest of the appointment went as expected. I got my RhoGAM shot and talked to the "doctor" in charge. She didn't actually introduce herself but after speaking with her i'm 99% sure wasn't a real doctor.
Anyway... I brought up some concerns about frequent contractions and worrying about them actually making progress since Baby A is head down and right on top of my cervix. She answered with some ramblings about women fearing that the baby will fall out when they poop. I just decided that it would do no good at all for me to talk to her. :) Instead we focused on what we did for Christmas and New Years Parties. Good times.

I did notice that Dr C already has an induction scheduled for February 28th. B asked him to hold off until March but it doesn't appear that he listened to her. Hopefully everything goes as planned and they can agree to meet in the middle. :)

Our next appointment is Jan 18th (32 weeks). I'm due to have another growth scan. I'll start going every two weeks after that and Dr C will start checking progress at 36 weeks. I will admit that I'm concerned about the contractions and have a fear that they are changing my cervix. I've had a bit of bloody show for the last couple of days. So... I may ask that they check and progress at our next appointment just to ease my mind.

Overall everything is going great. I'm excited that we are nearing the end! I can't wait for B and C to hold their girls and meet them for the first time!
I'm over the weight gain already and can't wait to get rid of the extra weight. B actually sent me a 3 month gym membership to use after the girls are born for Christmas! I'm really excited about it!
I'm also over the leg cramps and numbness and tingling in my arms, hands, and legs. Talk about uncomfortable!
Carrying twins isn't the same or nearly as easy as carrying a singleton. There is never a dull moment, one is always moving, and forget about sleeping soundly. I slept on my tummy through all of my single pregnancies, all the way up to the very end. The only way I can sleep with these girls is on my back. I miss having a good nights sleep.

Oh... and I learned at the last appointment that I have had the babies backward, so Baby A... isn't the wild one, it's really Baby B!
Here are some pictures: 



                                                                       Baby A Face
                                                                       Baby B Leg
                                                                 Baby B Neck Rolls
                                                                  Baby A Swallowing
                                                                 
Oh and I found out about B's baby shower and sent a couple of things to her. I had to make sure she was okay with sharing the girls names before I posted pictures. Here you go!